Quote from SteveD:
Exactly how did you arrive at the number of 250,000 homes? At 3 people to house that is 750,000 people!!! What is population of all of NO?
I would also guess that, from what I have seen on TV, most of those homes do not have mortgages. Most barely have a certificate of occupancy. Also, most are of modest cost so outlay should be minimal.
The big decision is going to be whether to rebuild them or not. Most seem to be in areas very susceptible to floods so probably best not to rebuild there. There will be a huge argument of what to do with the people who did lose their homes.
I would anticipate major restrictions on what and where one can build in these type of areas. Also, these restrictions are going to be felt around the US. Florida, So Calif etc. Any place that has exposure to natural damage.
I think you might see a lot of coastal homes in Calif be bought by Feds and demolished. Florida real estate is going to take a huge "hit" over next few years also. Everybody is having fun till next hurricane and then we all scream for the "Government" to bail me out. Cry on TV with bozo Geraldo.
The city of New Orleans, the Mayor and Governor had absolutely no plan for a hurricane. Utter stupidity.
The Quarter, for the most part, did not sustain too much damage or high water.
SteveD